Bimetallic Ni-Rh/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts with various total metal contents and nickel mole fractions have been used in n-butane hydrogenolysis. Both the total reaction rate and the selectivity for ethane formation are strongly influenced by the two parameters as well as by the reduction temperature. Rather unexpectedly, an addition of small quantities of nickel to Rh/gamma-Al2O3 catalysts increases their ability for central C-C bond rupture, in spite of the tendency of this metal to split terminal bonds in hydrocarbons.